Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

The red blood cells in pernicious anemia will typically be:

1. A) Microcytic and hypochromic cells

2. B) Microcytic and normochromic cells

3. C) Macrocytic and normochromic cells

4. D) Macrocytic and hypochromic cells

The correct answer is: C) Macrocytic and normochromic cells

In pernicious anemia, the underlying cause is usually a deficiency of vitamin B12, which is essential for proper red blood cell formation. This deficiency leads to the production of larger-than-normal red blood cells, known as macrocytes. These cells are typically normochromic, meaning they have a normal amount of hemoglobin, which allows for adequate color in the cells. The macrocytic and normochromic characteristics can be attributed to the disruption in the DNA synthesis necessary for creating red blood cells. Since vitamin B12 is crucial for this process, its lack results in the formation of fewer but larger red blood cells that still maintain normal hemoglobin content. This understanding of red blood cell characteristics in pernicious anemia is critical for diagnosing the condition and understanding the implications of vitamin B12 deficiency on erythropoiesis.